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Angels-Royals Preview

Jul 22, 2009 - 5:57 AM By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN STATS Senior Writer

Los Angeles (52-38) at Kansas City (37-54), 8:10 p.m. EDT

The surging Los Angeles Angels look to continue their season-long domination of the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night when they try to complete a three-game road sweep.

Los Angeles (54-38) improved to 5-0 against Kansas City this year after sweeping a doubleheader Tuesday. The Angels have also won 19 of their last 24 games at Kauffman Stadium, and 31 of 41 overall versus the Royals.

Shortstop Erick Aybar provided a huge spark in the two wins with seven hits, five runs scored and four RBIs. Aybar is hitting .559 (24 for 43) over his last 11 games, with 12 runs scored and 15 RBIs.

"The ceiling everybody saw is there and it's great to see a young player get comfortable and show the talent he's shown in the minor leagues," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's getting comfortable and hopefully we'll see that talent continue to progress."

The Angels had 25 hits Tuesday, and have won nine of their last 10 games. They lead second-place Texas by three games in the AL West.

Los Angeles first baseman Kendry Morales sat out the second game after extending his career-high hitting streak to 19 games with two hits in the opener. Morales is batting .375 (27 for 72) with 13 runs, five homers and 16 RBIs during his run.

The Royals (37-56) tied a team record by using nine pitchers in the doubleheader, and have fallen a season-worst 19 games under .500 thanks to their second eight-game losing streak of 2009.

"It's not fun," said Royals catcher John Buck, who doubled and scored a run in Tuesday's nightcap. "It's not from a lack of trying and not wanting to. That's why it hurts so much."

Kansas City's bullpen was ripped for nine runs over eight innings in the doubleheader, continuing a disturbing trend. Royals relievers are 0-3 with a 9.18 ERA in five games since the All-Star break.

Angels starter Joe Saunders (8-6, 4.72 ERA) can add to the Royals' woes with an effort similar to his last start against them. He improved to 2-0 with a 0.56 ERA in two career starts versus Kansas City after pitching his only career shutout May 9 - a five-hitter for a 1-0 Los Angeles win.

"I think that day he just got ahead with all his offspeed stuff, and was all around the zone with all his pitches," Kansas City first baseman Mark Teahen told his team's official Web site. "He just got ahead of everyone and everyone was hitting from behind in the count."

Saunders looks to put a rough four-start stretch behind him. The left-hander fell to 0-2 with a 9.90 ERA in that span after yielding five runs in six-plus innings Friday in a 7-3 loss at Oakland.

Royals starter Brian Bannister (6-7, 3.66) has pitched well lately, but doesn't have much to show for it. He's 1-4 over his last six starts despite a 2.95 ERA and a .224 opponent batting average in those games, as the Royals have supported him with one run or none in three of the losses.

The right-hander did not get a decision Friday against Tampa Bay after he allowed four runs over five innings in an 8-7 loss.

This will be Bannister's second start against the Angels. He gave up five runs and a career-high 13 hits over 6 2-3 innings in a 5-3 home loss May 6, 2008.